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BCAdvantage 2008; Business and investment across British Columbia Cariboo region: Resource Rich The Cariboo’s central location makes it a hub for diverse business opportunities By Baila Lazarus From the logging roads near Mackenzie, to the riding paths around 100 Mile House, the Cariboo region has one of the most diverse economies in B.C. Its central location puts it at the crossroads of numerous transportation routes and directly in the path of goods movement for the Pacific Gateway, and it’s diversity of natural resources means it’s rich in mining, logging, power production and tourism. In January 2008, 119 mining projects, at a value of $84.4 million, were registered in south central B.C. Among the largest are Taseko Mines Ltd.’s Gibraltar copper-molybdenum mine and Imperial Metal Corp.’s Mt. Polley copper-gold mine, near Williams Lake, in what’s known as the gold belt of the Cariboo. In mid-2007, Taseko announced the results of a feasibility study regarding the Prosperity mine, near Williams Lake. The $2 million study confirmed that the gold-copper project was economically viable. It’s estimated to have a 20-year mine life with a rate of 70,000 tonnes per day, producing 247,000 ounces of gold and 108 million pounds of copper per year. Also on the horizon is the reopening of QR Mine, owned by Cross Lake Minerals Ltd. and located 60 kilometres southeast of Quesnel. Cross Lake is conducting exploration and engineering with the goal of recommencing mining operations in the near future. The incursion of the mountain pine beetle in the region, which has a population of approximately 172,000, has led to new industries around the generation of electricity, as well as creative manufacturing solutions. “Here we have a gold mine,” said Rick Payne, owner of RJ’s Rentals and Repairs Inc. in Mackenzie. “You can’t sell [the lumber], because there’s no market for it, and it rots if it’s standing. But now, we’ve got the co-generation plant that can turn it into electricity.” The plant Payne referred to is a newly announced biomass burner planned for the area with participation of all three levels of government. Anticipated to start construction in the spring, the project will burn large amounts of the beetle-killed timber to generate heat and electricity for several civic buildings in Prince George. The Whiskey Flats Lumber Co. has also found a market niche for product manufactured from beetle-killed wood by making extra-wide floor planks from the salvaged timber. The beetle doesn’t compromise the strength of the wood, and the odd colouration that’s left behind makes the flooring a topic of conversation. The company is based in Quesnel and is run by Marvin and Wendy Fox. Both worked with the Ministry of Forests but decided to start their own business after Marvin Fox saw some wide-plank flooring at a trade show in Atlanta. Payne himself runs a leasing and repair company for heavy equipment and is an ICBC licensed salvage buyer. He has seen his business fluctuate according to market forces, such as the high price of gas or mill closures. “This is supposed to be a really good time for this type of business. I buy salvage, sell it or bring it to the recycler. As the economy shrinks, there’s less money to go around, the budgets get tighter, so you have to use used parts.” He recently booked between $50,000 and $60,000 worth of work on a trip to Ft. St. John and Grand Prairie. As the price of fuel went up in the last year, there has been less transport traffic on the highway, which means less activity in his leasing and repair operations, but he knows the industry has its ups and downs. “The forest is cyclical and the market will return. We’re sitting in the biggest timber supply harvesting area in the province.” In the transportation sector, two companies made headlines recently: In January, Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, announced it would start daily service between Prince George and Seattle in May. And last November, CN opened its new Prince George intermodal terminal and distribution centre. The $20 million centre is located on a main Pacific Gateway transportation route between the port of Prince Rupert and easterly destinations, and is also on the main north-south Highway 97, ensuring northern B.C. will be able to connect with the new Prince Rupert container terminal expansion. The centre includes an 84,000-square-foot warehouse and 10 acres of outside storage. Further south, the area around 100 Mile House is experiencing a boom in the tourism trade. “There is a mood of optimism,” said Howard McMillan, manager of the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce. “The Cariboo area is getting a worldwide reputation as a laid-back rural destination. Many western Europeans, especially from Germany and Switzerland, have discovered us.” The immigrants are buying rural acreages – especially young families setting up businesses throughout the area. There are also corporate investors in tourism-related properties, McMillan said. Chris and Elke Hirsch are examples of two Europeans – originally from Germany – who settled in the Cariboo. They were looking for a place to vacation 10 years ago and came across the Flying U ranch, which fit perfectly with their love of horses. They fell in love with the area and opened a guest ranch of their own in Lone Butte a couple of years later. “After we had a vacation here in the Cariboo, which was so relaxing and soul opening, we fell for something in this area, which drew us back,” said Elke Hirsch. “When we had decided to immigrate to Canada, we came back here again, although we had been open for other opportunities as well.” The Hirsches’ Red Willow Ranch has 13 guest rooms, 43 horses and 580 acres to explore. Guests fly to Vancouver or Williams Lake and drive to the ranch, located just southeast of 100 Mile House. Most of their clientele are Europeans who come across their German/English website. Although people had said they should go to the Okanagan, the Hirsches decided to stay with the original plan and were pleased with the speed at which their business grew. “You just have to work hard, and keep on working,” said Hirsch, whose daughter and son-in-law are now thinking of coming out, as well. “We are still loving the lifestyle, the guests, the horses and the area in our surroundings.” • Cariboo •100 Mile House •Barkerville •Mackenzie •McBride •Prince George •Quesnel •Valemount •Wells •Williams Lake |
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